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AMG Expert Review
With Adoration, Cranes created its first total classic, a darkly beautiful record that gave a preview to the dramatic strengths of the group's eventual full debut Wings of Joy. The title track, which would later close that album to great effect, here stands on its own as an example of the group's increasing creativity. The lead instrument this time is piano, performed by Jim Shaw, who plays a simple but effective descending series of notes as Alison Shaw sings and the rest of the band slowly but surely builds up behind her, along with string-synth orchestration to boot. Halfway through there's a subtle but breathtaking change, the strings taking even more prominence as the song becomes a gripping slow processional fading into the distance, Alison Shaw's voice ever more mysterious as it goes. The only other track on Adoration, "Brighter," is a more rhythmic, energetic number with prominent acoustic guitar and a touch of flamenco to it, giving the band a chance to do a (for them) sprightlier piece that's still infused with a dank, chill sound.
Reviewed by Ned Raggett
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